It really was only a matter of time before Italian Serie A side AS Roma were again conducting a search for a new manager to occupy their dug out in the hopes of turning their form, and results, in the 2024/25 campaign around.
Everyone knows the history and after the tumultuous time under the charge of Jose Mourinho, their Friedkin Group owners eventually had enough of the off pitch headlines and dispensed with his services, bringing in club legend Daniele de Rossi who very quickly impressed and was rewarded with an extended contract.
However, at the first sign of a wobble in the league the 41 year old was dispatched inside of eight months in a move that was not supported by a large majority in their fanbase, and they instead pivoted to 49 year old Croatian gaffer Ivan Juric. He had good experience of the Italian league, but his success was mixed at best and he just did not really hit the ground running at the Stadio Olympico.
He too now departs the club after 12 games where he picked up only four wins and three draws, and reports of a dressing room altercation at the end of October did not help matters with even Juric admitting ‘heavy’ arguments, and it simply solidified the fan protests that were already taking place.
The 3-2 defeat to Bologna last weekend proved to be the final straw, and although the statement from the Board was respectful and professional, the simple fact is this appointment could not have gone more wrong, and it will leave many in the wider world of football wondering just what the owners have been thinking, and what their over all ethos and philosophy for the club is given the now regular lurching that is taking place.
Juric was Roma’s eighth manager in ten years, and his sacking means they will now have had three managers in half a season.
Some fans are already demanding the return of De Rossi, but that is very unlikely to happen and has already been ruled out. Former Juventus gaffer and serial title winner Massimiliano Allegri has emerged as one favourite in the media, but in other sections of the press former Italian and Manchester City gaffer Roberto Mancini is being favoured as a candidate after he left his Saudi Arabia role.
The next appointment at the Capital is absolutely key as Roma sit in 12 place in the table and are only four points from the relegation places, and in terms of their Europa League adventure, they are in 20th place on five points – a single point away from the elimination places.
